Wang Chunxin, a senior research fellow at Bank of China (Hong Kong) said Li could divert attention from short-term economic headwinds to China’s long-term strategies. “Li will stress China will move forward with the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative as a way to strengthen economic cooperation with other countries,” Wang said.

Li will be the first Chinese premier to visit Canada in 13 years with a mission to improve bilateral ties in the wake of Canada’s application to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to Beijing earlier this month.

Li will also be the first Chinese premier to visit Cuba since the socialist countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago.